November in the land of crazy viable weather and ice...

So yeah freezing and snow one day to the next being in the 70s Fahrenheit I thought it wasn't meant to be that crazy.... maybe something to do with are the carbon entering the atmosphere, that's what most people point to when you talk to them about it! Crazy Melbourne weather has nothing on this!

Few things going on, it's nice to be able to drive if the weather isn't great and it's good to have the flexibility to go out when we want as a family!  Last week was Nick and Lily's anniversary so we had a night out in Philadelphia, including cocktails, tasty bar snacks and some dancing.  Nick's been feeling a little let down on the dancing front of late so it was great to hit a cool little bar with a DJ mixing it up to get our bogie on. 

Bella has a new favourite outfit (other than her Princess Sophia PJs), Mira the leopard:

And we saw Bella's love for animals in full focus at the Philly Zoo when we visited with our new friends James and Henrietta:

 Ant display

 Baby lions: Bella's absolute favourite even if she doesn't roar like crazy any more..... Some things we wish she didn't grow out of :-(

Big Daddy Lion

The Zoo had many paths a number of animals could use to check out different areas of the Zoo.  Here a leopard is making the most of it

 Girls loving the animals moving around above!

Inside the treehouse play area at the Zoo 

Group shots! Can't get the girls attention though....

When the weather hasn't been too bad Nick's been riding and exploring more the of the surround areas/towns. Below are some photos from such a ride!

Nice park

Still frozen! 

The back route 

Local factory 

All rugged up! 

Bella is still getting lots of time climbing and sliding even with with it getting colder

Get the ice of the slide Daddy, please!

Time to decorate Christmas tree number 1 (of two) and sing some good old Christmas carols!

 

(Notice the large number of decorations at the bottom of the tree) 

Much love from Nick, Lily and Bella

A car at last! And just in time

After living in a car dominated part of the States for eight months it was finally time to buy a car... and after a lot of research and kicking a lot of tires Nick found a nice Toyota Camry for the Beales in USA.  A very clean gold-copper metallic coloured four door sedan.

We've done a couple of trips into Philadelphia and the car has proved a very reliable and efficient little trooper. On the 3rd night we had the car it decided to snow; good Nick hasn't been having to ride through the freezing rain....

Making the most of the warmer Fall weather before the cold hit!

 Bella enjoying the leaves and ploughing through them with her bike like a tractor

Making the most of the windy weather we have been having with Bella's cheeky money kite!

Love to everyone across the globe!

Fall is in full bloom here! Pumpkins, corn mazes and beautiful colours

So I'm told we are having a Indian Summer! Daily maximums in the high teens all October! Can't ask much more than that!  It's meant lots of time to be out and about for Bella, Lily and Nick.... Flying Bella's birthday kite, playing in playgrounds and Bella's new found favourite game: tag, tiggy, chacey.  Imaginative play is still number one, we are constantly having tea parties with Bella. Lily and Bella have been doing lots of arts and craft, making the most of the leaves and pine cones.  

Mirabella has two great loves at the moment, Dr Mcstuffins and princesses.  Bella wants to be a princess when she grows up, pretty much wants to wear pink all the time. This year we are not trick'or'treating and really don't think this will be a family activity for us even though most of the houses around us have developed grave yards, massive blow up black cats that have mechanically rotating heads and ghosts.

Nick has discovered the beautiful seasonality of the North-East, driving through the streets and small town is renewed with bright yellow leaves, some brown and striking orange.  All the local farms are selling pumpkin pies, advertising corn field mazes and hay rides! Luckily the weather is still good enough to ride, we are only just getting frosts now! 

Here are some moments from the past through weeks.

Nick and Bella playing soccer with the big ball on the driveway:

Autumn colours on our driveway

Visit to a local farm; with Bella playing on a toy tractor

Visit to a local farm; Bella practicing her photography 

 

Visit to a local farm; Baaaaaah

Visit to a local farm; scarecrow competition!

Visit to a local farm; hay bale race

Visit to a local farm; corn field maze!

Visit to a local farm; lots of pumpkins to choose from!

Driving in fall

 Dinner out at our favourite American style diner!

Baking scones! Yum!

Nick's nickname arrived via sticky-note on my bike

Playing outside!

Night out in Philadelphia: the Museum of Art

Seasonal colours; Lily's favourite season for obviously reasons!

Halloween madness!!

Love to everyone back in Aus and elsewhere!

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